Legal Definitions - omne quod in se erat

omne quod in se erat

This Latin phrase, historically used in legal contexts, refers to all that one had within their power, capacity, or control. It signifies the full extent of a person's available resources, authority, or ability that could be brought to bear in a particular situation or to fulfill an obligation.

Here are some examples illustrating this concept:

• Example 1: A Medieval Lord's Defense

  A feudal lord, facing an invasion of his lands, would historically be expected to defend his territory using omne quod in se erat. This would encompass mobilizing all his knights, calling upon every able-bodied serf to fight, and expending his entire personal treasury to fund the war effort and fortify his castle. Here, the phrase highlights the lord's deployment of the full scope of his military, human, and financial resources under his direct command.

• Example 2: Fulfilling a Historical Debt

  In a historical legal judgment, if a debtor was ordered to repay a significant debt using omne quod in se erat, it meant they were compelled to liquidate all their personal assets. This could include selling off their land, livestock, household goods, and any other valuables they possessed, to fully satisfy the financial obligation. In this context, the term refers to the entirety of the debtor's possessions and financial capacity that could be legally seized or compelled for repayment.

• Example 3: A Colonial Governor's Authority

  A colonial governor, dispatched by a distant empire to establish order in a newly acquired territory, would exercise omne quod in se erat to govern the region. This would involve utilizing the full extent of their delegated administrative authority, deploying military forces to maintain peace, establishing new legal systems, and managing all available resources to develop infrastructure and ensure compliance with imperial rule. This example demonstrates the governor leveraging the complete scope of their official power, military backing, and administrative tools to achieve their mandate.